PAN-SEARED TILAPIA WITH CHILE LIME BUTTER

Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 25 min

For chile lime butter
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot
1 teaspoon finely grated fresh lime zest
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon minced fresh Thai or serrano chile (preferably red), including
seeds
1/2 teaspoon salt

For fish
6 (5- to 6-oz) pieces skinless tilapia fillet or farm-raised striped bass
fillets with skin
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Make chile lime butter:
Stir together butter, shallot, zest, lime juice, chile, and salt in a bowl.

Prepare fish:
If using striped bass, score skin in 3 or 4 places with a thin sharp knife
to prevent fish from curling (do not cut through flesh). Pat fish dry and
sprinkle with salt. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet
over moderately high heat until just smoking, then sauté 3 pieces of fish,
turning over once with a spatula, until golden and just cooked through, 4
to 5 minutes, and transfer to a plate. Sauté remaining fish in remaining
tablespoon oil in same manner.

Serve each piece of fish with a dollop of chile lime butter.

Cooks' note:
• Chile lime butter can be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring to
room temperature before using.

Makes 6 servings.
Gourmet
July 2003
Gourmet Entertains

--
Starchless in Manitoba.